| As a student learning Italian you will have a tendency | | | | hundreds. The second conjugation verbs total about |
| to look for grammatical patterns. This is normal. | | | | one quarter of the verbs. Many of them have some |
| Studying Italian verbs in a regulated fashion is a wise | | | | sort of erratic structure; there are also many regular |
| idea. In other words, take it in as a computer would | | | | - ere verbs. The final group of verbs is those that |
| accept a new program, without thinking about it or | | | | end in -ire. |
| trying to analysis it. Mainly because it is an efficient | | | | In Italian there is a difference between tense and |
| use of time, plus Italian verbs are grouped in a | | | | mood. Mood refers to the attitude of the speaker to |
| variety of ways. | | | | what he or she is saying. The attitude is not directed |
| When studying Italian you must avoid the temptation | | | | at the person they are speaking to. There are four |
| of making comparisons in English. They are not even | | | | finite moods - modi finite in Italian is pinpointing, which |
| remotely the same and you will only end up | | | | is used when pinpointing facts; subjunctive - |
| frustrating yourself. There may be some similarities | | | | congiuntivo, which is used to express how the |
| between the two languages, but there are so many | | | | speaker feels or his attitude toward an event; |
| basic differences they can not compare to each | | | | conditional - condizionale, which is used to express |
| other. As in the English language there are many | | | | what would happen in a certain situation that is |
| exceptions to the rules. | | | | hypothetical and imperative - imperative, which is |
| Verbs are a basic part of every language, so the | | | | used to give orders. The English language only has |
| same is true with Italian. There are three primary | | | | three of these finite moods. They are indicative, |
| groups of verbs in Italian. They are grouped | | | | subjunctive, and imperative. |
| according to the ending of their infinitives. There is | | | | There are also three indefinite moods in Italian; the |
| the first conjugation (-are verbs), second conjugation | | | | forms do not specify the person, such as first, |
| (-ere verbs), and third conjugation (-ire verbs). | | | | second, or third. They are infinitive - infinito, participle |
| The majority of the Italian verbs belongs to the first | | | | - participio and gerund - gerundio. |
| conjugation group and follows a very consistent | | | | Moods are divided into one or more tenses, which tell |
| pattern. Once you have mastered the conjugation of | | | | the time when the action of the verb takes place |
| an -are verb, in essence you will have learned | | | | whether it is present, past or future. |